Pages

Monday, September 16

Don't you love it when all of the pumpkin flavored and scented products start appearing in stores? It's that time of year, before the rush of the holidays, when there's the slightest nip in the air and suddenly you know fall is on the way. Won't be long before leaves start changing colors and you head out with your family to pick the perfect pumpkin for the Halloween jack-o'-lantern. Get in the fall spirit with this delicious-smelling homemade playdough recipe from Small + Friendly (it smells good enough to eat--but don't!).

Pumpkin Spice Playdough Recipe (adapted from the recipe found in Unplugged Play)

Stir over medium heat until a big ball forms. (It should be smooth and no longer sticky.)

Remove from pot and allow to cool until the dough can be worked by hand.

Divide the dough into however many different colors you want.

Work the colors into the dough by adding a few drops at a time and kneading. (We used food coloring for red, yellow, and orange and left one brown. Similar colors could be achieved with natural juices: beet, carrot, turmeric.)

Enjoy!

* Coconut oil is my secret ingredient. I makes the best play dough ever. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it.

Friday, September 13

Our Anaheim Hills students remembered 9/11 during a special Flag Salute on Wednesday.

Highlights From This Week

Remembering 9/11

Each year, during the week of September 11th, our students do a special Patriot Day activity to pay remembrance to September 11, 2001. This year was no exception as each campus facilitated activities and lessons on Wednesday that taught students about the events of 9/11 and how our country will never forget.

School Pictures

It's that time of year - time to say "cheese" for school photos! Please check your campus' eNewsletter for all the details regarding Picture Day. As a reminder, all students must wear their Formal Uniforms for their school pictures.

Anaheim Hills Fall Festival - Friday, September 27 from 3pm-7pm

The Fall Festival is a very special school tradition at the Anaheim Hills campus! Our Parent Association works very hard planning this event for all of our families to enjoy. We will have carnival rides, game booths, food stations, and more--you won't want to miss it!

Historic Anaheim Back to School Picnic - Friday, September 20 from 5pm-8pm

At Historic Anaheim, our Parent Association plans a Back to School Picnic each year for all of our families to attend. We are gearing up for our 2013 event on September 20, and we can't wait to see you there!

North Tustin Back to School Picnic - Friday, September 27 from 4pm-7pm

The North Tustin Campus Parent Association (NTCPA) invites you to the North Tustin Campus Annual Back-to-School Picnic. Please join us for this annual tradition event featuring fabulous catered food, desserts, attractions, games and loads of fun in an Old West themed environment! This is a great opportunity to spend time with your kids and meet their friends and their families. Hope to see you all there!

Wednesday, September 11

Kids who eat balanced diets probably get all the vitamins and minerals they need from the foods they eat, so supplementation shouldn't be necessary. Some children, however, may benefit from taking kids' dietary supplements

Children Who Might Need Supplements?

Pediatricians may recommend a daily multivitamin or mineral supplement for:

An increase in the frequency of severe vitamin D deficiency is being reported in the U.S. and other countries. According to the United States Bone and Joint Initiative, this severe deficiency can have a devastating impact on a child’s bone strength. A simple blood test can determine if a vitamin D deficiency is present.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine recommend a daily intake of 600 IU for everyone over age 1. Parents should consult their primary care professional to determine the correct amount of vitamin D3 they should be taking to ensure optimal vitamin D levels.

Fish Oil/Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids meaning they are necessary for health but the body can’t make them -- you have to get them through the diet. They play a crucial role in brain function, as well as normal growth and development. Omega 3 fatty acids have also become popular because they may reduce the risk of heart disease in adults.

Benefits for children are still being investigated. A small clinical study demonstrated that taking omega 3 fatty acids seemed to improve airflow, reduce cough, and lower the need for medications in some children with asthma.

There are no standard doses or official recommendations for omega-3 fatty acids. If your child doesn't eat fish and seafood, the body can convert some of the alpha-linoleic acids (ALA) found in pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, soy and walnuts into omega 3 fatty acids in the body.

Kids and Dietary Supplement Safety

Although most multivitamins and mineral supplements designed for children are generally safe, you should speak with your health care provider before giving your kids any kind of dietary supplement, especially those that contain iron or are formulated for adults.

Iron supplements can cause iron toxicity when taken in large amounts. Iron overdose is one of the leading causes of death caused by toxicological agents in children younger than 6 years. All dietary supplements that contain iron are required to be bottled with a child-proof lid—one that requires pushing down on the lid and squeezing to open.

Sage Advice

Don't automatically believe any label claims such asimproves immune system functionorincreases brain function. These claims can be misleading.

Don't attempt to treat any specific health conditions with supplements without the guidance of your health care provider.

Keep adult vitamins out of the reach of toddlers and young children. Keep multivitamins out of your child's reach and make it clear that they aren't candy.

Monday, September 9

It's 3pm and school is out--the time of day that strikes fear into the hearts of moms and dads. Sure, we're super excited to pick up our children and hear about their wonderful days at school, but in 3, 2, 1... we're off to soccer, ballet, scouts, you name it! Dinner must be cooked, homework completed and doesn't someone have a special project due tomorrow?! Add in the infamous So Cal traffic it's easy to see why 3pm 'til bedtime are some of the most challenging hours for busy families. Sometimes there's just no getting around the go, go, go, but we have a few tips to make it a little less stressful for parents and kids.

Create a home command center (see pic). Getting organized can be next to impossible, but once you have a good system in place life becomes easier. You'll need a place for kid stuff--back packs, lunchboxes, Friday folders, etc.--and a place for adult clutter--keys, cell phones, receipts, etc. Add a family calendar, a bulletin board and a white board to keep track of schedules and reminders. For some inspiration, check out the back-to-school command centers at frugalistasdeals.

Plan for the craziness.You know the routine, so outsmart Murphy and prepare for the worse. Problem: The kids are hungry, thirsty and tired after school but you have to run or you'll miss dance lessons. Solution: Pack healthy snacks and water bottles along for the ride and tuck favorite toys or books in the seat back pockets to entertain the kids. Problem: You're getting home late every day this week and dread the question, "What's for supper?" Prep and freeze meals on Sunday and rely on the slow cooker!

Take advantage of public spaces.

Libraries and parks are great stop-overs for families on the go. You can check emails or answer voice mails while your children play or start on homework. You may even be able to schedule a play date for little ones in between errands or appointments.

Prep fun activities in advance. (This great idea is borrowed from buggy and buddy) So you know it's going to be a super busy afternoon and you may not be 100% excited when you're kids say, "Let's paint!". Set out activities in advance so that when they return from school they find art materials or a puzzle, and you won't have them reverting to TV or worse yet arguing as you prepare dinner.

Enlist help. Carpooling can be a huge help when your schedules align with a friend or neighbor. It's also reasonable to expect your children to pitch in. Older kids can be responsible for packing their own lunches and snacks and making sure they have everything they need prepped and ready to go. Children of all ages can help in keeping the car clean, tidying up living spaces and setting the table for dinner.

It's that time of year - time to say "cheese" for school photos! Please check your campus' eNewsletter for all the details regarding Picture Day. As a reminder, all students must wear their Formal Uniforms for their school pictures.

Anaheim Hills Fall Festival - Friday, September 27 from 3pm-7pm

The Fall Festival is a very special school tradition at the Anaheim Hills campus! Our Parent Association works very hard planning this event for all of our families to enjoy. We will have carnival rides, game booths, food stations, and more--you won't want to miss it!

Historic Anaheim Back to School Picnic - Friday, September 20 from 5pm-8pm

At Historic Anaheim, our Parent Association plans a Back to School Picnic each year for all of our families to attend. We are gearing up for our 2013 event on September 20, and we can't wait to see you there!

North Tustin Back to School Picnic - Friday, September 27 from 4pm-7pm

The North Tustin Campus Parent Association (NTCPA) invites you to the North Tustin Campus Annual Back-to-School Picnic. Please join us for this annual tradition event featuring fabulous catered food, desserts, attractions, games and loads of fun in an Old West themed environment! This is a great opportunity to spend time with your kids and meet their friends and their families. Hope to see you all there!

Wednesday, September 4

Grandparent's Day is coming up this Sunday! Don't let it pass by without giving your kids the opportunity to show their grandparents how much they love them. For a grandparent, just spending time with their grandchildren is special, but it never hurts to sweeten the deal a bit. Here are some of our suggestions for celebrating Grandparents Day.

Create a family tree together. Have your child interview their grandparents about their siblings and parents. Use photos to make the tree come alive.

Compile a CD or playlist of songs from their youth. Add some of your child's favorite songs too and listen to them together.

Plan a movie matinee to watch grandma or grandpa's favorite movie as a family.

Create a poster or giant card titled "Why We Love Grandma and Grandpa." Have the kids list reasons and include colorful illustrations.

Make it a tradition. Even if it just means going out to dinner, having a game night, or visiting them at home, find some way to make the day something grandparents and kids look forward to year after year.

Monday, September 2

Ever wanted to slow down and smell the roses when it comes to your
family life? Modern parents are busier than ever balancing our own
personal needs with the daily schedule of must-haves and must-dos when it comes
to our children. Being the best you can be for yourself, your spouse, your
kids...it can be exhausting, but according to Minimalist Parenting
authors Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest it doesn't have to be this way.
It's possible to be human, do less, and enjoy the experience of parenthood
without all of the craziness and guilt. Turns out that kicking back a bit
could actually be better for your kids in the long run. Need proof?
Read all about it:

Minimalist Parenting: Enjoy Modern Family Life More by Doing Less

by Christine
Koh and Asha
Dornfest

We're in the midst of a parenting climate that feeds on more expert
advice, more gear, more fear about competition and safety, and more choices to
make about education, nutrition, even entertainment. The result? Overwhelmed,
confused parents and overscheduled, over-parented kids. In Minimalist
Parenting, Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest offer a fresh approach to navigating
all of this conflicting background noise.

In Minimalist Parenting, Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest offer a fresh
approach to navigating all of this conflicting background “noise.” They show
how to tune into your family’s unique values and priorities and confidently
identify the activities, stuff, information, and people that truly merit space
in your life.

The book begins by showing the value of a minimalist approach, backed
by the authors’ personal experience practicing it. It then leads parents
through practical strategies for managing time, decluttering the home space,
simplifying mealtimes, streamlining recreation, and prioritizing self-care.
Filled with parents’ personal stories, readers will come away with a unique
plan for a simpler life.

Welcome

An Apple a Day is the official blog of Fairmont Private Schools, an Orange County-based school group with a 60-plus year tradition of academic excellence and personalized education. We welcome you and thank you for connecting with our Fairmont family.